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Scott Beller, Editor and Contributing Writer
Since February 2020, the DADDYING blog has provided weekly commentary, personal narratives, reviews, research, poetry, and other creative expressions from a diverse group of colleagues, guest writers, and experts to promote the benefits of lifelong Dad involvement to kids, families, and communities.
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Welcome Home to Being A Dad
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and podcaster Ben Killoy finally found his comfort zone as a dad by asking himself one simple question.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 1, 2021
At 80 I'm Grateful for My Childlike State of Mind
For his 80th birthday, DCG Founder Allan Shedlin shares how he's embraced his inner child and "old man," while giving both their due.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 29, 2021
The Many Benefits of Exuberant Lifelong Daddying
As a milestone birthday approaches, DADvocacy Consulting Group Founder Allan Shedlin reflects on a lifetime of daddying and granddaddying.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 22, 2021
Granddaddying Wisdom: Let Nature Be Your Teacher
I realize when I make a donation to The Nature Conservancy, I’m not giving anything of yours away. On the contrary, I’m investing for you...
Allan Shedlin
Mar 25, 2021
A Long Year of Reflection and Daddy Blogging
Just as daddying doesn’t take place in a vacuum, but within multiple contexts and social systems, so it has been with our Daddying blog.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 18, 2021
First and Foremost It’s About the Children
DADvocacy can rightly be viewed as encouraging enhanced partnerships between fathers and mothers.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 4, 2021
It's The Little Things They Will Remember
...engaging my children in making fresh pasta or brewing a cup of espresso, is a lesson in the joy of those simple things.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 18, 2021
How To Cope With A Race That Never Ends
We avoid the runner’s pitfall of incessantly asking “How much more is left?” Instead, we focus on our journey toward the finish...
Allan Shedlin
Feb 4, 2021
Saying Goodbye to The House Where I Grew Up
When people ask me where I grew up, I usually say “Springfield, Virginia,” but that’s not entirely true.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 28, 2021
The Vital Importance of A President's and Daddy's First 100 Days
The presidency, like daddying, does not take place in a vacuum – both occur within a dynamic social system.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 21, 2021
Was 2020 Real or Just Virtual?
I’m trying mightily to embrace the optimism that usually marks a new year and the traditional hopefulness it entails
Allan Shedlin
Jan 6, 2021
May 2020 Silver Linings Energize Daddying Hope for 2021
For our final Daddying blog of the year, we offered each member of our DADvisory Team an opportunity and invitation.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 31, 2020
Have Yourself A Memorable Little Christmas
by Scott Beller, Daddying Editor and Soon-To-Be Retired Santa Claus I love the process of making our family's photo cards each holiday...
Allan Shedlin
Dec 24, 2020
Lessons From 2020: 192 Dads and Granddads Can’t Be Wrong
The end of each year is traditionally a time for us to reflect on the year just passed and, for many, to make resolutions for the year ahead
Allan Shedlin
Dec 17, 2020
The Squirrel in the Coal Mine
by Allan Shedlin Founder, DADvocacy Consulting Group The following was written 11/4/2020, mere hours after Election Day 2020 closed and...
Allan Shedlin
Nov 5, 2020
Our COVIDious Crescendo
My basically-optimistic nature continues to prevail and believe that we are fitfully inching toward a decrescendo, a COVID convalescence...
Allan Shedlin
Oct 15, 2020
How CAMPAIGNful Politics Impact Us and Our Children
After watching the first un-presidential debate, I wondered if it was acceptable fare for kids.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 8, 2020
The Superpower of Being Present
Think of the children in your life. Their superpower is living in the moment. COVID-19 implores us to be more like our children.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 1, 2020
She Made Me A Dad and Gave Me Confidence
I was 38 when my daughter Morgan was born. Even though I had decades of preparation, nothing had quite prepared me for the responsibility.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 17, 2020
Nurturing the New End-of-Summer Butterflies
When the cocoon of childhood summers past opened into a more predictable fall, the emergent butterfly was able to unfurl its new wings & fly
Allan Shedlin
Sep 3, 2020
What Happened to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?
Daddying editor Scott Beller laments the continued human rights abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including murders this past week of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
Allan Shedlin
6 days ago
A Dad Still Going Along for the Ride
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller embraces his evolving role as a Dad, which will always include being his daughters' safe, reliable ride home.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 10
Something to Celebrate For America's Conflicted 250th: Principles of Our Founding Daddies
Daddying Film Fest founder Allan Shedlin longs for an America that not only celebrates landmark birthdays but also adheres to the inclusive and promising ideals its "founding fathers" clearly expressed in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Allan Shedlin
Jul 1
Many Aspects of Daddying Offer Positive Outcomes for Involved Fathers and their Kids
Senior Research Scholar for Child Trends, Dr. Mindy Scott, presents data evidence of the many positive outcomes related to Dads remaining involved with their children.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 25
Revisiting Our Unique Daddying Perspective: Four Fathers' Days Plus One
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) director and founder Allan Shedlin celebrates Fathers' Day in a way different from many other Dads.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 17
A Daughter's Ode To Her Father and A Father Figure
Poet Kani Manoharan Veeramarthini honors her father and an influential father figure through her poetry.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 11
Processing My Son's Graduation from High School...in Poetic Verse
Poet, author, and Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Dadvisor Hakim Bellamy commemorates his son's high school graduation in the best way he knows how: in poetic Dad verse.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 3
It's Graduation Day for Daddy Too
Dr. Anthony Fleg faces the next daddying phase as he wishes his daughter well on the occasion of her high school graduation.
Allan Shedlin
May 27
More than Your Ordinary Film Festival Metrics of Success
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains why the six-year-old festival's metrics of success are necessarily different from thousands of other annual festivals worldwide. D3F favors the qualitative over the quantitative, and he believes those are the metrics that best reflect the festival's success in achieving its daddying mission.
Allan Shedlin
May 20
More Thoughts About Entering the Kingdom of Great Granddaddying
Allan has hope and many thoughts to share as he stands on the precipice of becoming a Great Granddaddy.
Allan Shedlin
May 13
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